Find all of the events and programs designed to both support queer students and to educate the campus community. Below you will find a list and brief description of the major signature programs and recurring events that help us to fulfill our mission of creating an inclusive campus and increasing the numbers of allies and campus supporters for the LGBTQIA+ community.

Q'nnect

A peer connection and mentorship program where LGBTQIA+ students have monthly lunches with LGBTQIA+ faculty and staff. For more information email qnnect@uwec.edu

Walking OUT: A Queer Graduation Celebration

Each May, the GSRC celebrates graduating queer students. Students, faculty, staff, and family gather to honor their accomplishments, eat plenty of food, and cap off the academic year.

The CookOUT

This is the annual Welcome Week event for new and returning LGBTQIA+ students and allies. It officially kicks off the new academic year with oodles of campus and community resources, a ton of free food, music, and games. See you there!

Trans Awareness & Empowerment Week

Though the GSRC celebrates trans lives year round, Trans Awareness & Empowerment Week affords us the opportunity to focus exclusively on trans lives. Programs change each year, but we generally offer films, speakers, panels, and awareness events that seek to educate about the transgender experience and what we can do to provide support and advocacy. Includes (but is not limited to) the following programs:

Trans Day of Remembrance

This annual program honors lives lost to anti-trans violence.

All Gender Clothing Swap

The annual swap provides an opportunity for people to donate clothing they no longer want. We provide a safe environment for students to sift through, try on, and ultimately select items they want.  

National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day is an internationally observed civil awareness day for coming out and creating a safe space for the discussion and celebration of LGBTQIA+ lives. Coinciding with the Eau Queer Film Festival, UW-Eau Claire’s National Coming Out Day festivities are sure to make you feel loved and supported—and grateful to be you! With music, free food (including cotton candy!), and numerous resources, this event is all about community. Attendees have the opportunity to share their coming out story with those who “get it,” and with those who can learn from it. You don’t want to miss this feel-good event, so be sure to come out (we couldn’t resist) for it! 

out.

This student produced and curated zine showcases artwork, poetry, and short stories by LGBTQIA+ students. For more information or to submit your work email out@uwec.edu.

Love Your Body Day

This student-run event changes each year. The gist: we celebrate all bodies. In the words of QPOC badass Roxane Gay, "This body is resilient. It can endure all kinds of things. My body offers me the power of presence. My body is powerful."

LGBTQIA+ Holiday Dinner

An annual gathering for for LGBTQIA+ students to join LGBTQIA+ faculty and staff for a holiday dinner before winter break. The GSRC provides food and faculty and staff bring a dish to pass and share with students.

Women's History Month

March our campus observance of this national month-long celebration of the rich history of women and women's issues in the U.S. The campus calendar is full of events focused on women, gender, and sexuality and is a collaborative effort between Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center, Women's Studies, and other campus units and programs.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Each year in April we observe Sexual Assault Awareness month to raise public awareness about sexual assault, how different communities are impacted by sexual violence, and to educate people at UW-Eau Claire on how to dismantle rape culture in our everyday lives and prevent sexual violence.

Queer-Inclusive Sexual Health

Sex education is woefully insufficient in the United States, and where it does exist, it often excludes queer identities. The GSRC programs a handful of events throughout the academic year focusing on sex-positive queer sexual health and relationships. Attendees are provided opportunities to anonymously engage with program content and featured educators, as we recognize the discomfort many feel asking questions. These programs are valuable additions to queer student life at UW-Eau Claire.